Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1887-11-04
A New Constitution Desirable.

Editor Sentinel II suppose it may be con-
ceded now that the State of Maryland is
reasonably safe to remain under Democratic
control for some time to come.
The most important question, though,
perhaps, not strictly party issue, is, wheth-
er we need new Constitution or not.
1t is admitted by all parties that the pres
ent Constitution does need some changes,
and the point of difference seems to be as
to how these changes should be made.
| Those opposed to holding Convention
by amendments in the Legislature, and
thus save the expense of holding Con-
| vention.
admit that the Legislature could make
amendments to the Constitution, but und er
such restrictions as TO entirely ignore the
very organic principle that has ever gov
erned the Democratic party, and has been
the ear-mark by which that party has been
distinguished in all its political action, and
that is that the majority shall rule
No amendment offered to this present
Constitution in the Legislature can ever be
submitted to the people for their considera-
tion or action unless in bill passed in the
Legislature by "AueeUths of all the men,
bers elected to each of the two Houses, BY
yeas and nays, to be entered on the jour
ANAo %AiNASiO II, DOIblOl vi lut OOuell-
tuition.
Now it can be easily computed, both
Houses of the Legislature aggregate III
members, TO pass bill to submit such an
a amendment requires II votes, whereas by
the good old Democratic rule SO should
suffice,
The principle is bad for this further rea-
son that the will of the Democrats could
on such measure, be frustrated by an op-
position vote of AZ as against Democratic
vote of 10.
In another view Of this question, there
are always a few disatfected men in every
party, and il might be that two disaffected
Democrats would unite with forty-five Re-
pubicans, and thereby thwart the Demo-
cratic party.
Again, what with absentees and disaffec-
uon, 1t would be almost an impossibility 10
get any bill submitting an amendment to
the people passed by three-fifths vote.
Another cogent reason is that the forty
seven voting against such az amendment
might not represent one third of the popu-
latlon or voters of the State.
Another objection to amendments by the
Legisature-there must be a separate bill
for each amendment, which would probably
make confusion
The bill or bills containing the amend
ments would in all probability be long, and
by the same section, if any such proposed
amendments should be passed by the Leg
islature, 1t is made the duty of the Governor
TO publish bill or bills passed in at least two
newspapers in each county where so many
may be published, and where not more than
one may be published, then in that news
paper, and three newspapers published in
the city OF Baltimore, one of which shall be
in the German lannuaU n 10
least three months preceding the next en-
suing general election.
l have no idea how the several counties
are provided with newspapers, but taking
Montgomery county as an average the pub.
LEGATIONS would he in at least forty.nine
newspapers and there would be twelve or
thirteen insertions in each paper, with moth
ing TO limit the charge. You who speak Of
the cost and expense of Convention can
you tell the people or estimate the cost of
these publications, especially if there should
be several long bills.
Alter all THIS then these amendments are
to be submitted to the people at the next
general election, which takes place two
years after the Legislature passed the bill
or bills proposing the amendment or amend
ments
Now, if as the opponents 10 a call of a
ent Constitution does need amendments,
why force the people to wait so long as two
years, and perhaps much longer under the
uncertainty of such amendments ever get.
ting three-fifths vote in the Legislature
am willing to admit that If there was
some one unlmportant amendment to the
Constitution there would be some reason to
procure such an amendment through the
Legislature, and doubtless this provision of
the Constitution was intended 10 cover lust
such case, but never intended TO apply to
number of important amendments
80 much then for amendments through
the Legislature, or rather so much why no
amendments, although much needed, can
never be expected TO come through Legis.
lative enactment. | have presented this
single reply to those who offer this lin nv
opinion) very weak objection against the
vote for new Constitution
believe land have urged it for the last
SIX years. that there are most cogent rea-
sons for new Constitution. | will not
discuss them here, but | am convinced it
will in every way prove Of incalculable
benefit to the people and the best interests
of this State
Experience among our own people, and
the practical results Of organic laws in other
States, have brought much light, and we
arc now better prepared to deal with sub
Jects Of grave importance than we were
twenty years ago.
GEORGE PETER